Pedestrian struck, killed by stolen SUV being chased in NJ

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JERSEY CITY, N.J. – A pedestrian was killed Tuesday when a stolen SUV being chased by a sheriff’s officer collided with another car, spun out of control and careened into a traffic light and bus shelter in Jersey City, authorities said.

Umar King, 33, was waiting for the bus on Kennedy Boulevard when he was fatally struck. A driver of a car, also on Kennedy Boulevard, was hit by the suspect’s vehicle and suffered minor injuries. That driver was treated at a hospital and released.

A Hudson County Sheriff’s officer sent a radio transmission when he spotted the SUV speeding and running through red lights at approximately 4:50 a.m., Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. The officer sent a second radio transmission reporting that the driver of the SUV refused to stop.

Moments later, the stolen SUV attempted to turn off Communipaw Avenue and onto Kennedy Boulevard but lost control, Suarez said. That sent the stolen SUV spinning into a traffic light and a bus shelter, where King was standing.

Prosecutors said it appears the officer followed protocol but that, too, is under investigation.

A 16-year-old boy fled the scene but was caught by officers and is being questioned. Authorities are looking for two other males seen fleeing on surveillance video. They are believed to be between 16 and 18 years old and from Jersey City.